The Nigerian Government has opened the 2026 National Youth Confab, urging young Nigerians to move beyond discussions and develop practical, measurable solutions to challenges affecting their lives and the country’s development.
Declaring the Confab open at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the gathering as more than a conference, saying it provides an important platform for young Nigerians to exchange ideas, examine challenges and opportunities, and contribute to policies and programmes that affect their lives.
Olawande said young Nigerians remained one of the country’s greatest assets, citing their contributions to entrepreneurship, technology, the creative economy, civic engagement, innovation and community development.
He acknowledged challenges confronting young people, including unemployment, skills development, access to finance, education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, peace and security, and access to opportunities.
The Minister, however, urged participants to move beyond identifying problems and develop realistic recommendations, partnerships and measurable actions capable of translating the discussions into stronger programmes, improved access to opportunities and greater accountability.
He also called on the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and youth-led organisations to strengthen collaboration with government to expand opportunities for young Nigerians across the country.
Olawande assured participants that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development would continue to provide platforms for meaningful youth participation in shaping policies and programmes affecting their lives.
He urged delegates to take ownership of the Confab by engaging, questioning, proposing and collaborating, expressing confidence that the deliberations would produce outcomes capable of being translated into meaningful action.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, stressed the importance of meaningful youth participation in national development.
Keshinro said the Confab provides an opportunity for young Nigerians to shape conversations and policies around leadership, governance, jobs, entrepreneurship, education, digital skills, peacebuilding and national unity.
She also urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate their ideas into practical and measurable actions.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Olaseye Nafiu, commended the Federal Government for convening the Confab, describing it as a timely platform for harnessing the ideas, energy and potential of Nigeria’s young population.
He said young people, constituting a significant proportion of the country’s population, their inclusion in national conversations and decision-making processes remained critical to Nigeria’s development.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, highlighted the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to capture, analyse and categorise the ideas and concerns of young Nigerians at the Confab.
He explained that the initiative would support meaningful youth participation and provide evidence that could inform policies reflecting the aspirations and expectations of young Nigerians.
Dr Hardwick Tchale, Lead Agricultural Economist for West and Central Africa at the World Bank, described young people as a national asset, stressing the importance of engaging them in national development and harnessing their skills and potential to contribute to Nigeria’s progress.
He wished the Ministry and other stakeholders successful deliberations at the Confab.
Prof Magdalene Igbolo, Director, Centre for Gender Studies and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja, highlighted the importance of the revived Commonwealth Youth Programme in building the capacity of youth development professionals.
She said the postgraduate programme was designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to effectively engage young people and strengthen the professionalisation of the youth development sector.
The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Aliyu Idris Zakari, called for meaningful and sustained youth participation in governance and decision-making.
He stressed that young Nigerians should be recognised not merely as leaders of tomorrow, but as active partners and contributors to national development today.
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Dist Comr Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, also called for greater attention to education, employment, skills development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and meaningful youth participation in governance.
He urged that the outcomes of the Confab should translate into policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of young Nigerians.
